Constant velocity sliding joint coupling

ABSTRACT

Constant velocity sliding joint coupling includes one joint half having a plurality of axially extending arms disposed at equally spaced intervals about the periphery thereof, the arms having free ends and axially extending lateral faces, respective lateral faces of adjacent arms being disposed opposite one another and defining therebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axis extending parallel to the axis of the one joint half. The other joint half is in the form of a star and includes a hub, a plurality of stubs or arbors extending radially from the hub, and a respective joint member comprising a central spherical segment having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the imaginary cylinder which is rotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted on the stubs. The free ends of the axially extending arms are enclosed by a ring member.

lllitetol @tatea Patent llttleilrlachmiitllt et allm lFelb, 22 i972 [54]NTANT WIELGMCH'KY @Lllllllllhifi JUHNT 3,446,035 5/1969 Enlte ..64/8

CUlUlF'LliNG Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors [72] Inventors:Mans-Joachim llilemachmrdt, Essen; llfiarl- Ammey Cun M Avery, Arthurwilfond, Herbert L llllemz 'lleutert, Essen-Steele, both of Ger- Lernerand Daniel J. Tick many [73] Assignee: Gelenltvvellenbau Gmbll-ll,Essen, Germany MWTKMCT [22] Filed: Dec. 22, 1969 Constant velocitysliding joint coupling includes one joint half having a plurality ofaxially extending arms disposed at equally [21] Appl mmlfifi spacedintervals about the periphery thereof, the arms having free ends andaxially extending lateral faces, respective lateral [30] ForeignApplication Priority Data faces of adjacent arms being disposed oppositeone another and defining therebetween an imaginary cylinder having an1968 Germany 18 17 195'4 axis extending parallel to the axis of the onejoint half. The other joint half is in the form of a star and includes ahub, a plurality of Stubs or who extending radially from the hub, {58] d4/7 8 12 and a respective joint member comprising a central spherical m0 m 1 segment having a radius substantially equal to the radius of theimaginary cylinder which is rotatably and longitudinally dis- [56]weiwmmw placeably mounted on the stubs. The free ends of the axiallyUNITED STATES PATENTS extending arms are enclosed by a ring member.

3,318,108 5/1967 Cadiou ..64/8 t5 tlllaims, 5 Drawing Figures"Pamlmrrnez 1912 3,643,468

SHEET 2 or 2 FIG. 5

QUhlST/iihllf l/IEILUCHTY SlLilDllNG .ll fllllhl'll CtlllUllLllhl G Ourinvention relates to constant velocity sliding joint couplings whereinthe halves of the joint couplings are longitudinally displaceablerelative to one another.

Such joint couplings are particularly employed for the drive mechanismfor stands of rolls, half ofthejoint having a plurali ty of axiallyextending arms disposed at equally spaced intervals about the peripherythereof, the arms having axially extending lateral faces, respectivelateral faces of adjacent arms being disposed opposite one another anddefining therebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axis extendingparallel to the axis of the joint half. Such joint couplings also haveanother joint half which is in the form of a star and includes a hub, aplurality of arbors or studs extending radially from the hub, and arespective joint member in the form of a central spherical segmenthaving a radius substantially equal to the radius of the imaginarycylinder which is rotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted onthe studs.

In the heretofore known couplings of this general type, the arms are notsupported at their free ends. They are therefore spread apart duringoperation by the peripheral forces transmitted by the joint members. Theconsequent deformations of the arms limit the transmissible torque.

Constant velocity sliding joint couplings of a similar type have alreadybecome known wherein slideways provided specifically for accommodatingthe joint members are machined in the form of cylindrical peripheralsurfaces from a closed body (German Utility Model Specification No.l,888,833, French Pat. No. 1,268,690). These couplings heretofore knownin the art must necessarily have a greater diameter than the couplinginitially mentioned hereinbefore. Moreover, manufacture of the jointhalf provided with the cylindrical peripheral surfaces is very costly.

It is accordingly an object of our invention to provide a constantvelocity sliding joint coupling of the initially mentioned type which,having the same dimensions as the known couplings of this type, cantransmit a considerably higher torque.

With the foregoing and other objects in view we provide in accordancewith our invention constant velocity sliding joint coupling comprisingone joint half having a plurality of axially extending arms disposed atequally spaced intervals about the periphery thereof, the arms havingfree ends and axially extending lateral faces, respective lateral facesof adjacent arms being disposed opposite one another and definingthcrebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axis extending parallel tothe axis of the one joint half; the otherjoint half being in the form ofa star and including a hub, a plurality of stubs or arbors extendingradially from the hub, and a respective joint member comprising acentral segment of a sphere having a radius substantially equal to theradius of the imaginary cylinder being rotatably and longitudinallydisplaceably mounted on the arbors; and a ring member enclosing the freeends of the axially extending arms.

By providing the ring member, deformation of the arms due to the actionof peripheral forces applied thereto in tangential direction isprevented. Consequently, the transmissible torque is no longer limitedby deformation of the arms. Testing has shown that for the sameperipheral forces, deformations of the arms in the coupling of ourinvention are now only about onefourth of the deformations for couplingsheretofore known in the art having unsupported or cantilevered arms.Consequently, a substantially higher torque is obviously transmissibleby the coupling of the invention in the instant application. Inaccordance with a further feature of our invention and in order toprovide an expedient bayonet-joint connection between the ring and thearms, the ring is provided, at an end thereof directed toward the jointmembers, with radially inwardly extending projections having a widthcorresponding substantially to the dimension of the arms measured in theperipheral direction, and being received in matching peripheral groovesformed in the arms.

In accordance with another feature of our invention which is included inanother embodiment thereof, the projecting members are formed with innersurfaces widening conically outward in axial direction toward an end ofthe ring directed away from the joint members, the inner surfacescooperating with correspondingly conically shaped surfaces formed at theradially outer side of the arms at the ends thereof so as to provide aplay-free seating of the ring on the: arms.

ln accordance with yet another feature of the invention as provided inanother embodiment thereof, the arms are formed at the free ends thereofwith an external thread, and the ring is formed on the end thereofdirected toward the joint members with an internal thread threadedlyengageable with the external thread of the arms for connecting the ringto the arms.

In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the ring isformed with supporting surfaces for a seal cooperating with the hub andfor a cover sealingly enclosing the one joint half, whereby the joint iscompletely protected against external harmful effects.

Other features which are considered. as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin constant velocity sliding joint coupling, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thespirit of thc invention and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the ac companying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a joint coupling constructedin accordance with our invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of FIG. ll taken along the line Il-llin the direction of the arrows;

FlG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the ring of H6. 2 taken alongthe line llI-lll in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to that of FIG. 3 of two differentembodiments of the ring shown therein.

Referring now to the drawings and first particularly to FIGS. l and 2thereof, there is shown a constant velocity slidingjoint couplingconstructed according to our invention having ajoint half ll providedwith three arms 2 spaced at equal intervals of about the periphery of abase portion of thc joint hull l, and a second joint half 3 formed of ahub and three radially extending stubs or arbors 5, also peripherallyspaced at equal intervals of 120, on which joint members 6 are rotatablyand longitudinally displaceably mounted respectively. The arms 2 areformed with arcuate lateral faces 7' which extend in the axial directionof the arms 2. Respective lateral faces of the arms 2 located adjacentone another in the peripheral direction of thejoint half l are disposedopposite one another and define therebetween an imaginary cylinderextending parallel to the axis of the joint half ll. Thus, therespective lateral faces 7 of the adjacent arms 2 may be considered asbeing disposed on a common axially extending surface of a cylinder. Thejoint members 6 are spherically curved like the cylindrical surfacedefined by the lateral faces 7 of the adjacent arms 2, the radius ofcurvature of the surface of the joint members 6 being the same as theradius of curvature of the imaginary cylinder defined by the lateralfaces 7 of the ad jacent arms 2, each of the joint members 6 beingaccordingly accommodated between two lateral faces '7 of adjacent arms2. Because of this arrangement, the two joint halves l and 3 aredisplaceable angularly and longitudinally relative to one another.

The arms 2 are enclosed at the free ends thereof by a ring it which, atan end thereofdirected toward the joint members a, is provided withthree radially inwardly extending projections '9 spaced at equalintervals of 120 about the periphery of thc ring 8. The width ofeach ofthe projections 9 corresponds substantially to the dimension of the arms2 measured in peripheral direction ofthcjoint half ll and the thicknessolthc projections 9 corresponds substantially to the width of aperipheral groove formed in the joint half 1 and extending across thearms 2 thereof.

To assemble the ring with the joint halves, the ring 8 is disposed withthe projections 9 thereof in the phantom position 9', shown in FIG. 2,between the arms 2 of the joint half 1, and is then pushed forwardlytoward the joint half 1 i.e., the left-hand side of FIG. 1, until theprojections 9 are in alignment with the annular groove 10. The ring 8 isthen rotated relative to the joint half 1 so that the projections 9 areangularly displaced from the phantom position 9 thereof to the solidline position 9 thereof shown in FIG. 2, in which case the projections 9are each received in respective portions of the annular groove 10 thatare formed in the arms 2. After the ring 8 has been rotated into theposition thereof shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, it is secured againstrotation relative to the arms 2 by tightening a setscrew 11 which bindsthe ring 8 to the joint half 1. At an end of the ring 8 directed awayfrom the joint members 6, the ring 8 is reduced in diameter in order toprovide a support surface 12 for the radially outer end of a flexibleroll diaphragm 13, the inner end of the roll diaphragm being fastened tothe hub 4. One end of a sleevelike covering 16 is fastened by screws tothe outer peripheral surface of the ring 8, which covers the arms 2 andthe spaces therebetween, the other end of the sleevelike covering 16, asviewed from the free ends of the arms, is seated on a peripheral surfaceportion of the joint half 1 located at the base of the arms 2. Toprovide a seal between the ring 8 and the covering 16, a sealing ring 17is disposed in a peripheral groove formed at the end of the ring 8directed toward the joint members 6.

The construction of the ring 8 can be even more clearly ascertained fromFIG. 3. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, a groove 18 is formed between theprojections 9 and the main body portion of the ring 8 and is of suchwidth as to be able to accommodate in a flush-fitting manner the freeend of the arms 2 that extend beyond the annular groove 10 in directionaway from the joint members 6.

The main body portion of the ring 8 as shown in FIG. 3 is provided withan inner conical surface 19 serving as the surface along which the rolldiaphragm 13 can roll when relative axial displacement of the joint half3 and the joint half 1 occurs. The outer peripheral surface 20 of thering 8 serves as a supporting surface for the covering 16 shown in FIG.1.

In the modified form of the ring 28 shown in FIG. 4, instead ofprojections 9 with inner peripheral surfaces defining an imaginarycylinder, as in the embodiment of FIG. 3, projections 29 are providedhaving inner peripheral surfaces 30 which define an imaginary cone orare disposed on a conical surface. The axis of the conical surface orimaginary cone coincides with the axis of the ring 28. When employingthe ring 28 in the joint coupling of our invention, the arms 2 of thejoint half 1 must have grooves formed therein tapering inwardly from thefree ends thereof at the same angle of conicity as that of the imaginarycone defined by the peripheral surfaces 30. After assembly, which iseffected in a manner similar to that for the embodiment of the ringshown in FIG. 3, firm seating of the ring 28 on the joint half 1 isassured.

The further embodiment of the ring 38 shown in FIG, 5 is provided withan internal thread 29 at the end thereof directed toward the jointmembers 6. When employing the embodiment of the ring 38 shown in FIG. 5in the joint coupling of our invention, however, an external thread mustbe formed on the free ends of the arms 2 to permit threading of the ringby its internal thread 29 with the external thread on the arms 2.

We claim:

1. Constant velocity sliding joint coupling comprising a pair of jointhalves, one of said joint halves having a base portion and a pluralityof arms axially extending from said base portion and disposed at equallyspaced intervals about the periphery of said base portion, said armshaving free ends and axially extending lateral faces, respective lateralfaces of adjacent arms being disposed op osite oneanother and definingtherebetween an imaginary cy rnder having an axis extending parallel tothe axis of said one joint half, and the other of said joint halvesbeing in the form of a star and including a hub, a plurality of arborsextending radially from said hub, and a respective joint memberrotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted on each of saidarbors, said joint member comprising a central segment of a spherehaving a radius sub stantially equal to the radius of said imaginarycylinder; and a ring member axially spaced from said base portion ofsaid one joint half and enclosing said free ends of said axiallyextending arms.

2. Coupling according to claim 1 wherein said ring member hassubstantially the same outer diameter as that of said one joint halfhaving said plurality of arms,

3. Coupling according to claim 1 including a seal cooperating with saidhub of said other joint half and supported on a supporting surfaceformed on said ring member, and a covering supported on anothersupporting surface formed on said ring member and sealingly enclosingsaid one joint half.

4. Constant velocity sliding joint coupling comprising a pair of jointhalves, one of said joint halves having a plurality of axially extendingarms disposed at equally spaced intervals about the periphery thereof,said arms having free ends and axially extending lateral faces,respective lateral faces of adjacent arms being disposed opposite oneanother and defining therebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axisextending parallel to the axis of said one joint half, and the other ofsaid joint halves being in the form of a star and including a hub, aplurality of arbors extending radially from said hub, and a respectivejoint member rotatably and longitudinally dis placeably mounted on eachof said arbors, said joint member comprising a central segment of asphere having a radius substantially equal to the radius of saidimaginary cylinder; and a ring member enclosing said free ends of saidaxially extending arms, said ring member having an end directed towardsaid joint members, said ring end being formed with radially inwardlyextending projections having a width substantially equal to thedimension of said arms measured in the peripheral direction of said onejoint half, said projections being received in a matching peripheralgroove formed on said one joint half across said arms thereof. 1

5. Coupling according to claim 4 wherein said projections are formedwith radially inner surfaces widening conically outward in axialdirection toward an end of said ring member directed away from saidjoint members, said inner surfaces cooperating with correspondinglyconically shaped surfaces formed at the radially outer side of said freeends of said arms.

6, Constant velocity sliding joint coupling comprising a pair of jointhalves, one of said joint halves having a plurality of axially extendingarms disposed at equally spaced intervals about the periphery thereof,said arms having free ends and axially extending lateral faces,respective lateral faces of adjacent arms being disposed opposite oneanother and defining therebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axisextending parallel to the axis of said one joint half, and the other ofsaid joint halves being in the form of a star and including a hub, aplurality of arbors extending radially from said hub, and a respectivejoint member rotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted on eachof said arbors, said joint member comprising a central segment of asphere having a radius substantially equal to the radius of saidimaginary cylinder; and a ring member enclosing said free ends of saidaxially extending arms, said one joint half being formed at said freeends of said arms with an external thread, and said ring member beingformed at the end thereof directed toward said joint members with aninternal thread threadedly engageable with said external thread of saidarms for connecting said ring member to said one joint half.

1. Constant velocity sliding joint coupling comprising a pair of jointhalves, one of said joint halves having a base portion and a pluralityof arms axially extending from said base portion and disposed at equallyspaced intervals about the periphery of said base portion, said armshaving free ends and axially extending lateral faces, respective lateralfaces of adjacent arms being disposed opposite one another and definingtherebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axis extending parallel tothe axis of said one joint half, and the other of said joint halvesbeing in the form of a star and including a hub, a plurality of arborsextending radially from said hub, and a respective joint memberrotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted on each of saidarbors, said joint member comprising a central segment of a spherehaving a radius substantially equal to the radius of said imaginarycylinder; and a ring member axially spaced from said base portion ofsaid one joint half and enclosing said free ends of said axiallyextending arms.
 2. Coupling according to claim 1 wherein said ringmember has substantially the same outer diameter as that of said onejoint half having said plurality of arms.
 3. Coupling according to claim1 including a seal cooperating with said hub of said other joint halfand supported on a supporting surface formed on said ring member, and acovering supported on another supporting surface formed on said ringmember and sealingly enclosing said one joint half.
 4. Constant velocitysliding joint coupling comprising a pair of joint halves, one of saidjoint halves having a plurality of axially extending arms disposed atequally spaced intervals about the periphery thereof, said arms havingfree ends and axially extending lateral faces, respective lateral facesof adjacent arms being disposed opposite one another and definingtherebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axis extending parallel tothe axis of said one joint half, and the other of said joint halvesbeing in the form of a star and including a hub, a plurality of arborsextending radially from said hub, and a respective joint memberrotatably and longitudinally Displaceably mounted on each of saidarbors, said joint member comprising a central segment of a spherehaving a radius substantially equal to the radius of said imaginarycylinder; and a ring member enclosing said free ends of said axiallyextending arms, said ring member having an end directed toward saidjoint members, said ring end being formed with radially inwardlyextending projections having a width substantially equal to thedimension of said arms measured in the peripheral direction of said onejoint half, said projections being received in a matching peripheralgroove formed on said one joint half across said arms thereof. 5.Coupling according to claim 4 wherein said projections are formed withradially inner surfaces widening conically outward in axial directiontoward an end of said ring member directed away from said joint members,said inner surfaces cooperating with correspondingly conically shapedsurfaces formed at the radially outer side of said free ends of saidarms.
 6. Constant velocity sliding joint coupling comprising a pair ofjoint halves, one of said joint halves having a plurality of axiallyextending arms disposed at equally spaced intervals about the peripherythereof, said arms having free ends and axially extending lateral faces,respective lateral faces of adjacent arms being disposed opposite oneanother and defining therebetween an imaginary cylinder having an axisextending parallel to the axis of said one joint half, and the other ofsaid joint halves being in the form of a star and including a hub, aplurality of arbors extending radially from said hub, and a respectivejoint member rotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted on eachof said arbors, said joint member comprising a central segment of asphere having a radius substantially equal to the radius of saidimaginary cylinder; and a ring member enclosing said free ends of saidaxially extending arms, said one joint half being formed at said freeends of said arms with an external thread, and said ring member beingformed at the end thereof directed toward said joint members with aninternal thread threadedly engageable with said external thread of saidarms for connecting said ring member to said one joint half.